The right outdoor furniture can transform your yard, patio or garden. But your chairs and tables won’t last forever. It can last longer, though, with proper care and maintenance. Here are top tips to remember:

Choose the right material

Weather-resistant materials make for an excellent choice when you’re putting chairs and tables outdoors. Keep in mind that constant exposure to wind, sun, heat, rain and more can easily take a toll on these pieces. The best way to make the most out of every dollar you spend is to go for options that will prove durable and sturdy against the elements.

Use furniture covers

These are easy enough to buy. You can choose from a range of different sizes that would fit your chairs and tables. After all, you aren’t going to be using your outdoor furniture at all times. You can use protective covers to keep them safe from exposure to outdoor elements.

Read care guidelines

Always read the care guidelines that come with all your outdoor furniture. You’re going to need to work with basic furniture care rules to make sure you don’t end up using cleaning solutions or materials that could be completely wrong for your tables, chairs and fabrics. The last thing you want to do is to damage the item and null any of the warranty you have on the piece.

Stay away from harsh chemicals

You’ll want to steer clear of abrasive cleaners since these could destroy the finish on your furniture. Check care guidelines since these will explicitly state which kinds of products you’ll need to stay away from.

Put them in storage

To protect your tables, chairs and cushions, you might want to put them all in storage when you aren’t using them, says Martha Stewart. That’s going to help you make your pieces last much, much longer.